Electric lighter for oil burners



. l, 1936. c. Y. cHlTTlcK ELECTRIC LIGHTER FOR OIL BURNERS 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 11 l Dec. 1, 1936.

c. Y. cHlT'ncK 2,062,556

f ELECTRIC LIGHTER FOR OIL BURNERS Filed April 11, i955 2 sheets-sheet 2 71 20 ze 27 25 Z3 Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNET l r Alirica ELECTRIC LIGHTER FOR OIL BURNERS setts Application April 11, 1935,l Serial No. 15,803

14 Claims.

This invention pertains to means for igniting oil burners. More particularly it is concerned with means for igniting that type of oil burner Commonly known as a range oil burner, which is a type widely used and which burns a relatively cheap grade of oil.

Range oil burners are particularly desirable because they are economical to manufacture, silent and odorless when in operation, and have a very large heat output for the amount of fuel consumed.

rFhese burners when in proper operation reach such a high temperature that there is no difficulty in vaporizing the low grades of oil that are commonly used therewith to produce a combustible mixture which burns with an intense heat. However, up to the present time, so far as I am aware, it has been impossible to ignite these burners initially without difficulty and inconvenience, due to the lack of volatility of the oil commonly used therewith.

Various electrical means for igniting range oil burners have been devised, but none of them has found favor with the public or the purveyors thereto, because of the diiculties attending their installation and subsequent operation.

The details of construction and the method of operation of my electric lighter will be more particularly pointed out hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 is a perspective view, cut away in part, of a typical range oil burner.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of Fig. 1 taken on the line 2 2, the cut away portion of Fig. 1 however, having been reinserted.

Fig. 3 is a detail of my improved insulator block used in my construction.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of a burner through the insulator blocks, showing the use of two igniting elements.

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective, showing the element insulators attached to the shell.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a section of a shell and my igniting element and insulator block, showing the ease of assembly.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a typical range oil burner construction. These burners are usually operated in pairs and have a suitable supporting arrangement, not shown, to enable them to be mounted in the proper position in a stove. The base l, usually made of cast iron or pressed metal, comprises two concentric channels, 3 and 5. These channels are connected together by the oil conveying ducts l, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Other oil conveying ducts S extend,

(Cl. F75-115) radially inward from the inner channel 5 meeting in a common oil distributing center ll, to which oil is fed from the pipe t3 which in turn is connected with the oil supply.

Positioned in channels 3 and 5 are the wicks l5 and Il'. Between channels 3 and 5 are the air passages I9, and within channel 5 are additional air passages 2l.

Mounted upon the sides of channel 3 are the perforated shells 23 and 25 and mounted on the sides of channel 5 are the shells 2l and 29 as shown in Figs. 1,' 2, and fl. For purposes of proper combustion a cover 33 partially restricting the movement of the gases is placed on top of the nested, concentric shells.

It will be apparent that when this burner is in operation air will be drawn upwardly around the outside of the base l, upwardly through the air passages 2l, then passing laterally through the perforations 2d in the four concentric shells 23,

25, 2l, and@ to mingle with the oil vapors emanating from the wicks l5 and ll, thereby supporting combustion.

From the bottom edge of the second shell is cut away a rectangular portion of the metal, leaving the space bounded by the two sides 3l and 33 and the top 35. Positioned within thisslot is the specially formed terminal block 3l shown in detail in Fig. 3. This block 3l is made of heat resisting and electrical insulating material. The position of this block with relation to shell 25 is plainly shown in Fig. 2. It will be noticed that the diverging sides of the slots 39 and tl of the block 3l permit this block to be slid into position on shells of differing radii.l Block 3l has an upwardly extending back portion or flange i3 which, when the block is in position as shown in Fig. l, serves to cover any opening that may be present between the edge 35 and the top l5 of the main part of the block 3l thus preventing adverse draft conditions within the burner. Block 31 when in position, as shown in Fig. 1, rests on the upper edge of the inner wall of the channel rI'hus the rectangular slot in shell 25 is effectively closed by the block 3l.

Extending through block 3'! are two holes 49 and 5| for a purpose which will hereinafter'appear. Within shell 23 and surrounding shell 25 is an electrical resistance wire or element 53 held in position about shell 25 by its own tension or else supported lightly on the wick l 5 by the bead against short-circuiting. The ends of the wire 53 are attached to rivets or bolts 51 positioned in the holes 9 and 5l or are otherwise led' through the block 31. At the rear of the block 31, the terminals of the wire 53 are connected with the leads 59 and 6|. Leads 59 and 6l are insulated by asbestos coverings 62 or other suitable material as well as by the tubes 53 of heat and electrical resisting material. 'I'he leads 59 and 3l are directed from the back of block 31 downwardly through the base through air passage I9 whence they may readily be connected to an electrical circuit. Thus, upon the application of a current of sufficient voltage the resistance wire 53 can be brought to a temperature high enough to cause the ignition of oil vapors emanatingr from the wick I5.

It should be pointed out at this time that the resistance wire 53 acts both as a heating and igniting means, although in general, the burner is ignited so promptly, that element 53 does but little preheating.

By the use of the special insulator blocks which I have devised, and which are shown in Fig. 3, it becomes possible to assemble the element 53, with its insulators 55, insulator block 31, and lead wires 59 and 9| prior to the distribution of this device to the user, which is, of course, of decided advantage as it insures good electrical contact of the various parts.

To install my lighter, it is only necessary to remove the shells from the base of the burner, cut out a portion of metal of the proper size from the base of the shell which is immediately within the outer wick, which in the case of the burner shown in the drawings, is shell 25. Insulator block 31, to which is attached the element 53 and the lead Wires 59 and 5I, is then slid into position inthe slotted shell 25 as shown in Fig. 1. See also Fig. 6. The element 53, which is preferably in the form of a coiled spring, is then sprung around the base of the shell in which the block 31 is positioned, and the insulators 55, which are already on the heating element 53, are spaced evenly thereon. Shell 25 is then re-positioned on the base, the lead wires 59 and` 6| being fed downwardly through the air passage I9. When shell 25 is back in position as shown in Fig. 1, the heati ing and igniting element 53 will be immediately above the Wick l5. Shells 23, 21, and 29 and cover 39 are then re-positioned and the burner is ready for operation.

As is obvious from the foregoing, the ease and simplicity of installation is derived in large part from the insulator block 31, coupled with the fact that the unit may be completely assembled prior to distribution to the user, thus insuring permanent electrical connections.

The'operation of a range oil burner equipped with my lighter is as follows: When it is desired to light the burner, the switch controlling the current to element 53 is turned on. Within a few seconds, element 53 becomes incandescent and of such a heat that it is capable of igniting the oil vapors. In the meanwhile, the valve controlling the oil supply 'to the burner is also turned on. Oil thus rises through pipe I3, spreads across the distributing base Il, passes through the oil duct 9 to channel 5 where it is absorbed by wick l1.

The oil not absorbed by wick` i1 passes on outwardly through the oil duct 1 to channel 3 where it is absorbed by the wick l5.

When the oil reaches outer channel 3 and wick l5, it vaporizes readily due to its proximity to the incandescent heating element 53. The oil vapors immediately mix with air coming through the perforations 20 in the shells 23 and 25. The combustible mixture thus formed is promptly ignited by the incandescent coil 53.

As fast as the oil reaches diiferent portions of the circumference of channel 3 and the wick l5, my lighter will cause combustion to take place. Due to the high temperature of my heating and igniting element 53, the initial combustion is at a relatively high temperature, thus materially minimizing carbon deposits on the shells and base. Upon complete ignition of the vapors given oif by wick l5, the switch controlling the current to heating element 53 is turned off. The position of my heating element 53 is so close to wick I5 that it is below the point of combustion of the gases when the burner is in full operation. At such a position with the burner in operation, the temperature of the element 53, when the current is ofi, falls below that necessary for incandescence, which arrangement promotes the long life of the element.

After the burner has been in operation for a short time, the heat generated in shells 23 and 25 becomes so intense that the vapors given oi by wick l1 are automatically ignited. In the meanwhile, of course, the operator of the burner will have adjusted the oil valves to the point of best operation.

Element 53 could, of course, be positioned over wick l1 instead of l5 as shown in Fig. 1, the lead Wires 59 and 5I dropping through the base via air passage 2l. While this arrangement is operative, I do not consider it as satisfactory in that it takes somewhat longer for the other wick to ignite.

A modified form of my invention is shown in Fig. 4. In certain cases it has been found desirable to have my electric lighter positioned over both wicks of an oil burner, thus igniting both wicks practically simultaneously and thereby eliminating the necessity of waiting for the name to jump across from one wick to the other. In the construction shown in Fig. 4, the oil burner, consisting of the base I and the shells 23, 25, 21 and 29 and the top plate 39, not shown in Fig. 4, is identical with the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the modified construction of Fig. 4, however, I have two heating and igniting coils, 65 and 61, coil 55 being positioned over the outer wick l5 and coil 61 being positioned over the inner wick I1. y

The terminals of coil 55 are connected through the block 31 with the main lead wire 5I and connecting wire 69. The terminals of coil 61 are connected through the block 1I, which is identical with block 31, to the main lead wire 59 and connecting wire '53. By securing wires 69 and 13 together by means of a connecter 15, it is obvious that the two coils will be arranged in series, the current being brought to them by main lead wires 59 and 6| By making the heating and igniting elements 55 and 5l' of the proper size and length, it is possible by the application of suitable voltage and current through the main lead wires 59 and 5| to bring the elements` 65'and 61 to a state of incandescence sufficient to ignite the oil vapors given off by wicks I5 and l1. By this method, it is apparent that both wicks will be ignited at substantiallgT the same time or at least they will ignite as soon as sucient oil vhas reached each of the wicks.

Another salient feature of my invention has been the determination of the metal from which my heating element 53 should be made. In the operation of the ordinary oil burner, due to the poor grade of the oil commonly used therein, it has been found that the sulphur in the oil combines rapidly with the ordinary electrical resistance wire rendering the wire useless within a very short time.

By using a wire of approximately the following composition, namely chromium, 23-30% carbon, one quarter of one per cent; manganese, 1%; phosphorus and sulphur, one quarter of one per cent; nickel, .06%; sulphur, .06%; balance, iron. I have developed a lighter for a range oil burner which will operate satisfactorily for a long period of time. The discovery of a suitable metal for use as my igniting and heating element is obviously of considerable importance as regards the life of my lighter, but it is to be understood, of course, that my lighter will work when any wire of suitable resistance is used, although the life thereof may be materially shortened.

Another modication of my invention is shown in Fig. 5. In certain cases it is found desirable to connect the insulators which support the igniting element 53 with the shell 25. The insulators 15 have a back portion 'Il with a hole therein, through which is passed a small rivet or bolt 19, which in turn passes through one of the perforations 8! 'of the shell 25. In this manner at suitably spaced intervals on the shell 25, the insulators 'l5 are maintained securely in position.

Under such circumstances should shell 25 be removed from the burner for cleaning purposes, the igniting element 53 will be maintained in its original position, which may be desirable in the case of cleaning by inexpert operators.

No novelty is claimed for an incandescent electrical resistance wire as means for igniting an oil burner, but I believe that I am the rst to position such a coil immediately over a wick or channel of an oil burner, and at the same time provide convenient, efficient, and suitable means for conducting the resistance wire through the shell which it surrounds, providing in addition means for leading the wires connected to the ends of the resistance wires away from the base of the burner without the necessity of using any special equipment, or otherwise modifying the base or shell.

It should also be pointed out that by my construction it is possible to clean the shells without damage to the electrical arrangement, should such procedure be necessary. By disconnecting the lead wires 59 and 6I from the switch, shell 25 as well as the other shells may be raised upwardly from the base. The insulator block may be slid from its position in the slot in shell 25 along with the lead wires and the resistance wire that is attached thereto, thus permitting easy cleaning of the burner. If the construction shown in Fig. 5 is used, the element 53 and insulators l5 remain in position when shell 25 is removed. These features are believed to be of great importance as they render unnecessary disconnecting the terminals of the resistance wire 53 when shell 25 is removed, thus preserving at all times suitable electrical connections. It should also be pointed out that by positioning the resistance wire immediately above the wick and channel, vapors are ignited promptly, thus preventing any large accumulation of an explosive mixture before ignition, which results in my lighter being safe in operation. The heat emanating from my lighter is so great that it is entirely unnecessary to pre-heat the base of the burner in order to get suitable vaporization of the oil.

The foregoing sets forth preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is to be distinctly understood, however, that various changes may be made in the practice of my invention, said changes being limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an oil burner comprising a` base having a plurality of concentric shells mounted thereon, and an oil channel in said base, an electrical resistance element surrounding one and positioned between two of said shells and above said channel and insulated therefrom;

insulator means removably mounted on one of said two shells, lead wires adjacent said channel and connected with said resistance element through said insulator means, said element and said lead wires positioned on opposite sides of one of said shells, said element, insulator means and leads being removable as a unit from said burner.

2. As a new article of manufacture an electricv lighter for oil burners having shells, comprising cumference of said shell and adjacent its base and supporting an electrical resistance element,

insulating means removably mounted on said shell for conveying said element to the opposite side of said shell and lead wires attached to said element at said insulating means, said element,

unit.

4. In an electric lighter for oil burners, a shell having an opening at its base, a terminal supporting member having grooves in the edge of said member and a flange extending from said member, said member held in position by sliding engagement in said opening, and said flange overlapping a portion of said shell.

5. In combination, a terminal block for an electrical resistance device for oil burners having grooved edges, said grooves having diverging walls, and a flange extending from one of the edges of said block, a base, a shell in partial telescoping relation with said base, an opening in said shell adjacent said base of a depth greater than the extent of the telescoping, said block in removable engagement with said shell and substantially filling the, opening above said base.

6. In combination, an oil burner comprising a base having concentric spaced channels therein and a plurality of shells mounted thereon, electrical resistance elements positioned about a plurality of said shells immediately above said channels, a pair of lead wires for each element extending upwardly through spaces adjacent said channels, insulating means positioned in said shells between said elements and their lead wires, said elements and their lead wires being connected and passing through said insulating means, said elements and leads connected in series, each element, insulating means, and lead wires being removable as a unit from their respective shells.

insulating means and lead wires removable as ally/"0 `7. In combination, an oil burner comprising a vbase with a circular channel therein and a plurality of shells mounted thereon, one of said shells having an opening in its lower edge, a resistance element vhaving terminals labove said channel and surrounding one of said shells, in-

sulating means positioned in said opening, said terminals passing through `said means from said channel, said Aopening closed in part by said insulating means.

8. In combination, a base for an oil burner,

Aa shell mounted thereon having an opening adjacent said base, and a terminal block engaging 'said shell and substantially closing said opening,

said base preventing removal of said block from the shell when the shell is in position on the base.

rent to said element, said element and leads connected through said block, said element, leads, and block forming a structure capable 'of application to a burner as an integral unit.

10. In combination, an oil burner comprising a base having an oil channel therein, a plurality of shells mounted thereon, one of said shells having an opening in its lower edge, a resistance element above said channel and surrounding `one of said shells, insulating means through which the terminals of said element lead away from said channel, said insulating means positioned in and partially closing said opening, said insulating means overlapping all portions of said lopening adjoining said means, the remainder of said opening being closed by said base.

, 11. In combination, an oil lburner comprising `a b'ase having a shell mounted thereon, said shell having an opening `in its lower edge, an electrical resistance element surrounding said shell and insulated therefrom, an insulating terminal block positioned in said opening, said block capable of removal from said shell only when said shell is separated from said base.

12. In combination, an oil burner comprising an oil channel and concentric shells positioned on either side thereof to Vform a combustion chamber, an electrical resistance element positioned between said shells and above said channel, and insulated therefrom, insulator means removably Amounted o-n one of said shells, lead wires without said combustion chamber and connected to said element through said insulator means, said element, insulator means and lead wires being removable as a unit from said burner.

13. As a new article of manufacture, an electric lighter for oil burners having shells, comprising an electrical resistance element in the form of a coiled spring, a single terminal block of insulating material having grooved edges and a flange extending therefrom, said block having holes therethrough, terminals positioned in said holes and extending from one face to said block to the other, the ends of said element connected to said terminals on one face of said block, and lead Wires connected to the other ends of said terminals on the other face of said block, said leads, terminals, and element being in series, and all forming an integral structure.

14. In combination, an oil burner base, a shell in partial telescoping relation with said base, an opening in said shell adjacent said base of a depth greater than the extent of said telescoping, a terminal block for an electrical resistance element, said block positioned in and substantially llling that part of said opening not covered by the telescoping portion of said base, said block having a flange overlapping said shell.

CHARLES Y. CHITTICK. 

